As part of the weekly Social Activity Day organized by the Faculty of Letters at Karabük University every Wednesday, academics, students, and guests gathered this week for yet another thought-provoking presentation.
This week’s event featured a presentation entitled "Consciousness, Intentionality, and the Possibility of Artificial Intelligence According to John R. Searle," delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Sultan ÖZKAN, a faculty member in the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Letters, Karabük University. The attendees had the opportunity to gain in-depth academic insight into key concepts in the philosophy of mind, including consciousness, intentionality, and their implications for contemporary debates surrounding artificial intelligence.
In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Sultan Özkan first explained John R. Searle's understanding of consciousness, how consciousness emerges as a biological product of the brain, and how it is positioned within the framework of the mind-body relationship. He then addressed the concept of intentionality, discussing how mental states direct themselves towards objects and situations and how they gain meaning.
One of the key highlights of the presentation was the discussion of Searle’s famous Chinese Room Argument, in which he critiques the notion of strong artificial intelligence. It was emphasized that while machines can process symbols syntactically, they do not understand these symbols’ semantic content. The presentation provided the participants with a comprehensive perspective on the philosophical debate regarding whether computers could ever develop consciousness.
Following the presentation, a Q&A session allowed participants to engage directly with the topic and pose questions on the intricate relationships between mind, consciousness, and artificial intelligence.
At the end of the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Prof. Dr. Muhittin KAPANŞAHİN, presented Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Sultan ÖZKAN with a certificate of appreciation for his valuable contribution.
The Faculty of Letters at Karabük University continues to enhance academic awareness and promote philosophical inquiry through such enriching events that bring together scholarly perspectives and contemporary scientific discussions.